INDIANA—Beginning September 30, retailers must verify with photo identification the age of anyone under 30 who is trying to purchase tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Previously, this requirement applied to anyone under 27.
Additionally, starting September 30, retailers may not sell tobacco products via vending machines in facilities where individuals under 21 are present or permitted to enter at any time. Previously, this prohibition applied to facilities where individuals under 18 were present or permitted to enter at any time.
These new requirements were announced on Aug. 29 as part of the final rule raising the minimum age for certain restrictions on tobacco product sales. These requirements are in line with legislation signed in December 2019, which immediately raised the federal minimum age of sale of tobacco products in the United States from 18 to 21.
To help retailers comply with the new rule, the FDA has developed a factsheet on these new requirements and resources available to assist retailers in calculating customers’ ages. The factsheet is now available on the FDA website.
